With some of these roaches growing close to three inches in length, American cockroaches have reddish-brown coloring and a yellow band behind their heads. These “water bugs” may start outdoors, but if they have the opportunity, they’ll make their way inside – and many signs of an American cockroach infestation can often go unnoticed for too long.
Signs of an infestation include:
- You see live roaches running along the floor or see them flying across your house.
- You notice a musty smell lingering in your home, especially around areas where the roaches are most active.
- You see droppings, which may look similar to mouse droppings, left in dark areas of your home, like behind appliances, pantries, or kitchens.
- You notice discarded egg casings in storage areas like the garage, laundry room, or even under cabinets.
If you’re worried that you may have an American cockroach problem on your hands, here’s what Raleigh residents should know about how dangerous cockroaches are, why they’re so difficult to get rid of, and what to do if you’re spotting signs of roaches.
How Dangerous Are American Cockroaches In Raleigh, NC?
Their fast legs and wings might make American cockroaches look scary, but there’s a couple of other reasons you’ll want to steer clear of these roaches. While cockroaches don’t bite and may not be aggressive, they can still scratch you with their leg spines – and when they do so, they have the potential to infect you with harmful bacteria.
American cockroaches aren’t linked to any specific outbreaks, but they are linked to certain types of bacteria. For instance, some cockroaches may contaminate your food with salmonella, streptococcus, or staphylococcus. Roaches have also played a role in the development of certain intestinal diseases, like cholera, diarrhea, typhoid fever, or dysentery.
Along with the bacteria that they may transmit, American cockroaches are dangerous for another reason – they can cause allergy flare-ups or trigger asthma attacks. Enzymes in a roach’s saliva, excrement, or even shed skin are known to cause allergic reactions in a lot of people – which can make living with an infestation a health concern.
How Difficult Are American Cockroaches To Get Rid Of In Raleigh, NC?
Along with being harmful to you and your family’s health, cockroach infestations can be almost impossible to tackle on your own. Not only do American roaches reproduce rapidly, but they’re excellent hiders, and you’ll have to root out all their hiding spots. Depending on the size of the infestation, these roaches could be hiding all over your house.
Even if you do find the root of the infestation, using OTC roach treatments isn’t always effective, and some American cockroaches may actually develop a resistance to pesticides.
Rather than allowing an infestation to overwhelm you, the most effective way to deal with an American cockroach infestation is by letting the professionals handle it – like those of us at Innovative Pest Solutions. If you’re spotting signs of cockroaches, contact us at Innovative Pest Solutions today to schedule an inspection.
How To Prevent Future American Cockroach Infestations In Raleigh, NC
Even if you’re not dealing with an active infestation, here are a couple of tips that may help prevent them in the future:
- Make sure your food and leftovers are properly sealed, especially overnight.
- Keep your trash cans and garbage cans tightly sealed.
- Clean countertops, tables, and flooring regularly to get rid of existing food scraps.
- Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink and clean up grease stains, which can be a big attraction for roaches.
These prevention steps are a great start, but if you find yourself with an active cockroach infestation, don’t waste any time in calling Innovative Pest Solutions.
